Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing images having a depth or relief component (e.g., appearing three-dimensional) from single perspective projection masks. The three-dimensional relief images are generated from two-dimensional images utilizing a simplified electromechanical device. In this regard, an oscillating light redirecting system is used to synthesize a third dimension onto a two-dimensional image resulting from projecting light through a single perspective projection mask. The light redirecting system controllably deflects the light projecting through the projection mask about two axes prior to the resulting image being projected on a surface. When projected onto a surface, the resulting image is controllably spread over two axes such that it appears to be a three-dimensional relief image. In a further embodiment, color filtering is utilized in order to produce color three-dimensional relief images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control a digital projector. After receiving a turn-on request, the temperature associated with the light source is sensed and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the temperature is below the threshold, then the digital projector's light source is turned on. Otherwise, if the temperature is not below the threshold, the digital projector's cooling device is turned on and the turning on of the light source is delayed until the temperature falls below the threshold. After receiving a turn-off request, the cooling device is turned off coincident with the light source and without regard to the light-source temperature.

Abstract: An interface tube is provided for an image display device. In one embodiment, an interface tube having an inside surface and a center region where the at least a portion of the inside surface includes light-disbursing elements. The light-disbursing elements may be configured to direct a substantial portion of reflected light away from the center region to prevent center region from exceeding a specified temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly useful for projection systems in which portions of an unwanted light beam overlap with the image beam. Such an overlap reduces the image contrast. Under the present invention, an aperture is used to restrict the extent of the unwanted beam while an integrator changes the shape of the light beam illuminating the image display device. The integrator changes the illumination beam so as concentrate the light in those areas of the illumination beam that are transmitted through the aperture. When the aperture and the integrator are used together in the projection system, both the image brightness and the image contrast are increased.

Abstract: Abstract Focusing system of the light beam for a videoprojector or comprising at least an image microforming device DMD (Digital Micromirror Device); the main feature of the system consisting in that it comprises at least an aspheric lens associated to at least an achromatic doublet. This configuration allows a substantial reduction of chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, curvature of field and the distortions, obtaining a more homogeneous illumination of the image microforming device.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus having an adjuster mechanism with a projecting member projecting from a bottom surface of the case to adjust the elevation angle of a projection lens and an opening/closing member located at a front surface of said projection lens for opening or closing the projection opening. The adjuster mechanism uses an electric motor to move the projecting member up and down. The opening/closing member is opened/closed using a linkage mechanism linked to the adjuster mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a screen, which, with a simple configuration, is capable of effectively utilizing light projected thereon and realizing an even luminance distribution on the screen. This screen has a diffusion layer whose diffusion characteristic expressed as a luminance distribution with respect to a scattering angle of incident light incident at an angle of 0° is varied such that the peak position of the luminance distribution is shifted towards a greater value of scattering angle in the direction of the central portion of the screen the greater the distance from the central portion of the screen is. The present invention also provides an optical film suitable for use in such a screen, and a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: An exhaust sirocco fan exhausts the air inside the projector outside. An inlet of the exhaust sirocco fan is disposed along the plane orthogonal to the optical path plane formed by the optical unit, i.e. along the thickness direction of the projector. In other words, the optical unit or the exhaust sirocco fan need not be disposed in the thickness direction of the projector in an overlapping manner. Therefore, by efficiently sucking the inside air, the exhaust efficiency can be enhanced and calmness can be ensured in the projector.

Abstract: There is provided a screen, which, with a simple configuration, is capable of effectively utilizing light projected thereon and realizing an even luminance distribution on the screen. This screen has a diffusion layer whose diffusion characteristic expressed as a luminance distribution with respect to a scattering angle of incident light incident at an angle of 0° is varied such that the peak position of the luminance distribution is shifted towards a greater value of scattering angle in the direction of the central portion of the screen the greater the distance from the central portion of the screen is. The present invention also provides an optical film suitable for use in such a screen, and a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: A micromirror array fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. The array is comprised of three operating layers. An addressing layer is fabricated on the substrate. A hinge layer is spaced above the addressing layer by an air gap. A mirror layer is spaced over the hinge layer by a second air gap. The hinge layer has a hinge under and attached to the mirror, the hinge permitting the mirror to tilt. The hinge layer further has spring tips under the mirror, which are attached to the addressing layer. These spring tips provide a stationary landing surface for the mirror.

Abstract: A projection television having a CRT assembly projecting image beams and front and rear casings, respectively provided in a front and a back of the CRT assembly, and further having a pair of CRT brackets provided between the front and rear casings, to support the CRT assembly. The CRT bracket is made of a conductive metallic material, thereby reducing deformation and deterioration because of changes in temperature and humidity, discharging heat generated from the CRT assembly, and blocking EMI.

Abstract: The invention provides a transmissive screen having low occurrence of light diffraction and moire-fringing. The invention also provides a rear projector including such a high-quality transmissive screen. A transmissive screen, applied to a rear projector, includes a light-guide plate having substantially cylindrical light-guide spaces arranged in a flat substrate, and a light-exit-angle distribution uniformizing device to make the angular distribution of the light exiting from the substantially cylindrical light-guide spaces of the light-guide plate uniform over the transmissive screen. The light-exit-angle distribution uniformizing device is provided at the light-exiting face side of the light-guide plate. The invention also provides a rear projector including such a transmissive screen.

Abstract: Optical engines using a reduced number of components offer advantages over more complex optical systems. Three panel optical engines have offered the advantage of relatively high throughput but at the cost of complexity and increased components on the bill of materials. Conventional two-panel engines have required the use of complex retarder structures to achieve the dual polarizations state for the three primary colors. The present invention achieves this goal while using simpler optical retarders.

Abstract: In a projector optical system comprising a digital micromirror device for modulating illumination light, a device having a polarization separating surface is provided for separating a luminous flux incident on the digital micromirror device and a luminous flux emitted from the digital micromirror device from each other. A device for rotating a polarization direction is disposed between the polarization separating surface and the digital micromirror device.

Abstract: Featured is a portable planetarium device suitable for use in projecting clear bright images of stars, planets, and other celestial objects onto a curved viewing surface. The portable planetarium devices of the invention comprise a point light source generators, a light dispersing lens assembly, and an opaque enclosure having transparent domains surrounding the light dispersing lens assembly. Also featured is a portable point light source comprising a light source, a light collection element and a light conducting conduit suitable for use in providing high intensity light with a small cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An image displaying projector is provided comprising a lamp for emitting the light for image projection, a light tunnel for receiving the light from the lamp at one end opening of a tubular portion thereof which has two openings provided at both ends, guiding the light as it reflects on an inner side of the tubular portion, and releasing the light from the other end opening of the tubular portion, and an imaging device for producing an optical image by means of the light released from the light tunnel. The light tunnel is made of a thin metal sheet folded to shape the tubular portion which has two openings provided at both ends. The image displaying projector can easily be manufactured fewer of components and steps. The thin metal sheet prevents the light tunnel from being heated up and fractured by the heat lamp.

Abstract: A lamp has a deformed lamp reflector and a lamp front glass. The deformed lamp reflector is formed by deforming a paraboloid of revolution of a conventional lamp reflector to an aspherical reflection surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to an optical axis. The lamp front glass is obtained by deforming the incident plane of a conventional lamp front glass to an aspherical lens surface rotationally symmetric with respect to the optical axis. A light flux radiated from the center point of the light source of an illuminant is reflected by the deformed lamp reflector, and is output through the lens as a parallel light flux having a circular cross section equal in area to the lens.

Abstract: A diffusion sheet for use in a transmission-type screen comprising a main diffusion layer having an incidence surface and an emergence surface which are parallel to each other. A plurality of groove channels each having a substantially V-shaped cross-section are disposed in parallel on the main diffusion layer. A region sandwiched between the adjacent two groove channels provides a rib with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. The light substantially perpendicularly incident on the incidence surface is reflected on side surfaces of the rib. An assisting diffusion layer is disposed on the side of the emergence surface of the main diffusion layer, or on both sides of the emergence surface and the incidence surface of the main diffusion layer. The light diffusion component of the assisting diffusion layer is adjusted such that a gain curve of an emergent light from the diffusion sheet has no minimal point.

Abstract: A device for dampening noise in a projection device is provided. The device includes a bracket configured to secure a color wheel assembly to an optical engine and an integrated noise reduction mechanism integrated into the bracket.

Abstract: A convergence system 100 comprises a dichroic prism 102 for splitting and/or recombining light beams, intermediate parts 104a, 104b, 104c and a light modulator 106a, 106b, 106c for every color beam. The intermediate parts 104a, 104b, 104c are constructed such that the convergence system has an improved resistance for variations in environmental effects like temperature and humidity. The intermediate parts 104a, 104b, 104c are constructed such that the convergence system has a high stability, a large degree of monolithicy and a high movement isotropy. When used in a projection display system, the projection display system has a high degree of color uniformity.